I’m teaching eighth-grade Spanish this year, after years as a guidance counselor, and I’m also an SEL coach. I recently shared a blog post on some 5-minute, all-class activities that I integrate into my classroom every day in order to support SEL needs. While this ritual is such a valuable way to set the tone every day, I know my students’ SEL needs don’t all just occur at the beginning of class. That’s why I also set up a “Peace Corner,” where students can retreat any time they need a moment. I wasn’t sure how middle-school students would respond to this offering, but  I’m so glad I tried it. 

What is a Peace Corner?

Our “Peace Corner” offers visual aids to help students identify how they’re feeling: a pillow to lean against and do some deep breathing, a small labyrinth to trace, fidget spinners, small salt shakers that I filled with water and essential oils like lavender and ginger and coloring pages. These are all options that you can use at any age, throughout your whole life, to calm down and self-regulate whenever you need it. 

Modeling Can Be an Invitation.

I didn’t push students to use the Peace Corner or tell them when to use it. Instead,  I just let them get curious about it. Then one day, when I was struggling to bring the focus of a student to learning for the day, I decided I could use a little moment for peace myself. I went over and got myself some lavender, and just started to breathe it in from the little salt shaker. And then the students were really curious: “What is that? What’s going on over there?” So I said, “Well, this is our Peace Corner, and I’m just needing some peace right now.” We passed the salt shaker around that day, and little by little after that, I noticed students bringing a coloring page back to their desks or holding one of the fidget spinners in their hand. Some students stayed in the Peace Corner for a while, just to have a mindful moment – tracing the labyrinth or doing breathing exercises. 

They’re Learning to Create a Peace Corner Wherever They Need It.

Now, whenever they need it, students go on over and choose an option that works for them. It’s really helped normalize that it’s ok to use your tools and find your calm. And it has really allowed me to show trust in every student, and in their ability to take care of themselves while still being respectful of everyone else’s learning, and of our shared classroom space. It’s been so beautiful to see them grow their self awareness, and to use that awareness to meet their needs and support their participation in each lesson.